Current sensor

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit current sensor includes a lead frame having at least two leads coupled to provide a current conductor portion, and substrate having a first surface in which is disposed one or more magnetic field transducers, with the first surface being proximate the current conductor portion and a second surface distal from the current conductor portion. In one particular embodiment, the substrate is disposed having the first surface of the substrate above the current conductor portion and the second surface of the substrate above the first surface. In this particular embodiment, the substrate is oriented upside-down in the integrated circuit relative to a conventional orientation. With this arrangement, a current sensor is provided for which the one or more magnetic field transducers are very close to the current conductor portion, resulting in a current sensor having improved sensitivity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electrical current sensors, and more particularly to a miniaturized current sensor in an integrated circuit package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known in the art, one type of conventional current sensor uses a magnetic field transducer (for example a Hall effect or magnetoresistive transducer) in proximity to a current conductor. The magnetic field transducer generates an output signal having a magnitude proportional to the magnetic field induced by a current that flows through the current conductor.

Some typical Hall effect current sensors include a gapped toroid magnetic flux concentrator, with the Hall effect element positioned in the toroid gap. The Hall effect device and toroid are assembled into a housing, which is mountable on a printed circuit board. In use, a separate current conductor, such as a wire, is passed through the center of the toroid. Such devices tend to be undesirably large, both in terms of height and circuit board area.

Other Hall effect current sensors include a Hall effect element mounted on a dielectric material, for example a circuit board. One such current sensor is described in a European Patent Application No. EP0867725. Still other Hall effect current sensors include a Hall effect element mounted on a substrate, for example a silicon substrate as described in a European Patent Application No. EP1111693.

Various parameters characterize the performance of current sensors, including sensitivity and linearity. Sensitivity is related to the magnitude of a change in output voltage from the Hall effect transducer in response to a sensed current. Linearity is related to the degree to which the output voltage from the Hall effect transducer varies in direct proportion to the sensed current.

The sensitivity of a current sensor is related to a variety of factors. One important factor is the flux concentration of the magnetic field generated in the vicinity of the current conductor and sensed by the Hall effect element. For this reason, some current sensors use a flux concentrator. Another important factor, in particular for a current sensor in which a flux concentrator is not used, is the physical separation between the Hall effect element and the current conductor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an integrated circuit current sensor includes a lead frame having at least two leads coupled to provide a current conductor portion and a substrate having a first surface in which is disposed one or more magnetic field transducers, with the first surface being proximate the current conductor portion and a second surface distal from the current conductor portion. In one particular embodiment, the substrate is disposed having the first surface of the substrate above the current conductor portion and the second surface of the substrate above the first surface. In this particular embodiment, the substrate is oriented upside-down in the integrated circuit relative to a conventional orientation.

With this particular arrangement, a current sensor is provided with one or more magnetic field transducers positioned in close proximity to the current conductor portion, resulting in improved sensitivity. Further, the current sensor is provided in a small integrated circuit package.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit includes providing a lead frame having a plurality of leads of which at least two are coupled together to form a current conductor portion and etching the current conductor portion to provide the current conductor portion with a cross section having a predetermined shape. In one particular embodiment, the predetermined shape is a T-shape. In another embodiment, the predetermined shape is a rectangular shape having a minimum dimension less than the thickness of the majority of the lead frame.

With this particular arrangement, a current conductor portion is provided for which the flux density is more concentrated above a surface of the current conductor portion. Therefore, a magnetic field transducer mounted near the current conductor portion experiences an increased magnetic field, resulting in a current sensor having improved sensitivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the invention, as well as the invention itself may be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a current sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a relationship between position across a Hall effect element of the current sensor of FIG. 1 and magnetic field;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a current sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a circuit forming part of the current sensor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of a current sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of still another embodiment of a current sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of still another embodiment of a current sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of still another embodiment of a current sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a further isometric view of the current sensor of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternate lead frame having a thinner current conductor portion according to a further aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the current conductor portion of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary current sensor 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a lead frame 12 having a plurality of leads 12 a-12 h. The leads 12 a and 12 b are coupled to the leads 12 c and 12 d to form a current path, or current conductor with a narrow portion 14 having a width w 1. The current sensor 10 also includes a substrate 16 having a first surface 16 a and a second, opposing surface 16 b. The substrate 16 has a magnetic field transducer 18 which, in some embodiments, can be a Hall effect element 18, diffused into the first surface 16 a, or otherwise disposed on the first surface 16 a. The substrate 16 can be comprised of a semiconductor material, e.g., silicon, or, in an alternate embodiment) the substrate 16 can be comprised of an insulating material.

The substrate 16 is disposed above the lead frame 12 so that the first surface 16 a is proximate to the current conductor portion 14 and the second surface 16 b is distal from the current conductor portion 14 and more specifically, so that the Hall effect element 18 is in close proximity to the current conductor portion 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate 16 has an orientation that is upside down (i.e., the first surface 16 a is directed downward) relative to a conventional orientation with which a substrate is mounted in an integrated circuit package.

The substrate 16 has bonding pads 20 a-20 c on the first surface 16 a, to which bond wires 22 a-22 c are coupled. The bond wires are further coupled to the leads 12 e, 12 f, 12 h of the lead frame 12.

An insulator 24 separates the substrate 16 from the lead frame 12. The insulator 24 can be provided in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment, a first portion of the insulator 24 includes a four μm thick layer of a BCB resin material deposited directly on the first surface 16 a of the substrate 16. A second portion of the insulator 24 includes a layer of Staychip™ NUF-2071 E underfill material (Cookson Electronics Equipment, New Jersey) deposited on the leadframe 12. Such an arrangement provides more than one thousand volts of isolation between the substrate 16 and the leadframe 12.

It will be understood that the current conductor portion 14 is but a part of the total path through which an electrical current flows. For example, a current having a direction depicted by arrows 26 flows into the leads 12 c, 12 d, which are here shown to be electrically coupled in parallel, through the current conductor portion 14, and out of the leads 12 a, 12 b, which are also shown here to be electrically coupled in parallel.

With this arrangement, the Hall effect element 18 is disposed in close proximity to the current conductor portion 14 and at a predetermined position relative to the conductor portion 14, such that a magnetic field generated by an electrical current passing though the current conductor portion 14, in a direction shown by arrows 26, is in a direction substantially aligned with a maximum response axis of the Hall effect element 18. The Hall effect element 18 generates a voltage output proportional to the magnetic field and therefore proportional to the current flowing through the current conductor portion 14. The illustrated Hall effect element 18 has a maximum response axis substantially aligned with a z-axis 34. Because the magnetic field generated in response to the current is circular about the current conductor portion 14, the Hall effect element 18 is disposed just to the side (i.e., slightly offset along a y-axis 32) of the current conductor portion 14, as shown, where the magnetic field is pointed substantially along the z-axis 34. This position results in a greater voltage output from the Hall effect element 18, and therefore improved sensitivity. However, a Hall effect element, or another type of magnetic field sensor, for example a magnetoresistance element, having maximum response axis aligned in another direction, can be disposed at another position relative to the current conductor portion 14, for example, on top of the current conductor portion 14 (in a direction along z-axis 34).

While one Hall effect element 18 is shown on the first surface 16 a of the substrate 16, it will be appreciated that more than one Hall effect element can be used, as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 5. Also, additional circuitry, for example an amplifier, can also be diffused in or otherwise disposed on, or supported by the first and/or second surfaces 16 a, 16 b of the substrate 16. Exemplary circuitry of this type is shown in FIG. 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the close proximity between the Hall effect element 18 and the current conductor 14 is achieved by providing the Hall effect element 18 on the first substrate surface 16 a, which is positioned closer to the current conductor portion 14 than the second surface. In other embodiments, this advantageous close proximity is achieved by providing the Hall effect element 18 on the second substrate surface 16 b and forming the current conductor portion 14 so as to be in substantial alignment with the second surface 16 b, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a graph 50 illustrates the magnetic flux density in the direction of the z-axis 34 (FIG. 1) across the Hall element 18, along an x-axis 30 (FIG. 1) and the y-axis 32 (FIG. 1) in the plane of the Hall effect element 18 (FIG. 1), for a current through current conductor portion 14 on the order of 10A. A center (not shown) of the Hall effect element 18 corresponds to three hundred microns on an abscissa 52. A mantissa 54 corresponds to magnetic flux.

A magnetic flux curve 56 corresponds to the change in magnetic flux in the z-axis 34 relative to position along the x-axis 30. Magnetic flux curve 58 corresponds to the change in magnetic flux in the z-axis 34 relative to position along the y-axis 32.

The magnetic flux curves 56, 58 can be characterized as being substantially flat in the vicinity of the Hall element, which is centered at 300 μm. Therefore, the output of the Hall effect element 18, which is sensitive to magnetic fields in the direction of the z-axis 34, is relatively insensitive to the position of the Hall effect element 18 along the x-axis 30 and along they-axis 32.

An illustrative Hall effect element 18 has dimensions along the x-axis 30 and along the y-axis 32 on the order of 200 microns and therefore the Hall effect element 18 lies in a region between 200 microns and 400 microns on the abscissa 52. A change of position of the Hall effect element 18 by 50 microns either along the x-axis 30 or along the y-axis 32 results in little change in the magnetic field sensed by the Hall effect element. Therefore, the position of the Hall effect element in the x-axis 30 and the y-axis 32 can vary with manufacturing position tolerances without substantial effect upon the sensitivity of the current sensor 10 (FIG. 1).

The width w1 (FIG. 1) of the current conductor portion 14 in the x-direction 30 relative to the dimension of the Hall effect element 18 in the x-direction 30 significantly affects the uniformity of the flux density in the z-direction 34 with position along the Hall effect element 18 in the x-direction 30. In particular, the longer the current conductor portion 14 (i.e., the greater the width w1, FIG. 1), relative to the width of the Hall effect element 18 in the x-direction 30, the longer the curve 56 remains substantially flat.

The width w1 (FIG. 1) is selected in accordance with a variety of factors, including, but not limited to a desired sensitivity of the current sensor 10 (FIG. 1), and a desired reduction of performance variation resulting from manufacturing variation in relative position of the current path 14 and the Hall effect element 18. In general, it will be appreciated that selecting the width w1 to be comparable to a width of the Hall effect element 18, provides the greatest sensitivity of the current sensor 10. However, it will also be appreciated that selecting the width w1 to be greater than the width of the Hall effect element 18 provides the smallest performance variation resulting from manufacturing tolerance of Hall element positional placement in the x-direction 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another exemplary current sensor 70 in accordance with the present invention includes a lead frame 72 having a plurality of leads 72 a-72 h and a current conductor portion 74 having a width w2. The current sensor also includes a substrate 76 having a first surface 76 a and a second, opposing surface 76 b. The substrate 76 has first and second Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b diffused into the first surface 76 a, or otherwise disposed on or supported by the first surface 76 a. The substrate 76 is disposed on the lead frame 72 so that the Hall effect element 78 is in close proximity to the current conductor portion 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate 76 has an orientation that is upside down (i.e., the first surface 76 a is directed downward) in relation to the conventional orientation of a substrate mounted in an integrated circuit package. An insulator (not shown) can separate the substrate 76 from the lead frame 72. The insulator can be the same as or similar to the insulator 24 shown in FIG. 1.

With this arrangement, both of the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b are disposed in close proximity to the current conductor portion 74 and at predetermined positions relative to the current conductor portion 74 such that a magnetic field generated by an electrical current passing though the current conductor portion 74 in a direction shown by arrows 86, is in a direction substantially aligned with a maximum response axis of the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b. Here, the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b each have a maximum response axis aligned with a z-axis 94. Therefore, the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b are disposed on opposite sides (i.e., slightly offset along a y-axis 92) of the current conductor portion 74, as shown, where the magnetic field is pointed along the z-axis 94. In one embodiment, the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b are offset (along the y-axis 92) by substantially equal and opposite amounts about the current conductor portion 74. However, Hall effect elements, or another type of magnetic field sensors, for example magnetoresistance elements, having maximum response axes aligned in another direction, can be disposed at other positions relative to the current conductor portion 74, for example, on top (in a direction of the z-axis 34) of the current conductor portion 74.

In operation, current flows into the leads 72 c, 72 d, which are coupled in parallel, through the current conductor portion 74, and out of the leads 72 a, 72 b, which are also coupled in parallel. The current flowing though the current conductor portion 74 generates a magnetic field which is sensed by the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b. As described above, the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b are in very close proximity to the current conductor portion 74 and at a predetermined position relative to the current conductor portion 74 for which the magnetic field generated by the current is substantially aligned with the maximum response axis of the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b. This placement results in a greater voltage output from the Hall effect element 74, and therefore improved sensitivity.

It will be appreciated that the magnetic fields experienced by the first and the second Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b are oriented in opposite directions, each aligned along the z-axis 94. Therefore, if polarized in the same direction, the outputs of the two Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b will be opposite in polarity. If the output from one of the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b is inverted, for example with an inverting amplifier, and then summed, i.e., differentially summed, with the output of the other of the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b, certain advantages are achieved.

As an initial advantage, the outputs of two Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b, when differentially summed as described above, provide a voltage output of twice the magnitude of the voltage output from a single Hall effect element in the presence of the same current. Therefore, the current sensor 70 has twice the sensitivity of the current sensor 10 of FIG. 1.

As a second advantage, the current sensor 70 is relatively insensitive to variation in the position of the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b in the direction of the y-axis 92. This is because, when moved in the direction of the y-axis 92, the voltage output from one of the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b tends to increase while the voltage output from the other of the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b tends to decrease. Therefore, the differential sum of the two outputs remains relatively invariant.

While the lead frame 72 is shown to have the flat leads 72 a-72 h suitable for surface mounting to a circuit board, it will be appreciated that a lead frame having bent leads, like the lead frame 12 of FIG. 1, can also be used. Also, while two Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b are shown, more than two or fewer than two Hall effect elements can also be used.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a summing circuit 100 suitable for performing the differential signal summation described in conjunction with FIG. 3 is shown coupled to two Hall effect elements 102 a, 102 b. The Hall effect elements 102 a, 102 b can be the same as or similar to the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b of FIG. 3. Here, each of the Hall effect elements 102 a, 102 b is rotated relative to the other Hall effect element by 90 degrees, as indicated by vectors on the Hall effect elements 102 a, 102 b. Therefore, in response to opposite magnetic fields 112 a, 112 b the Hall effect elements 102 a, 102 b generate output voltages 103 a, 103 b having the same polarities. The output voltage 103 a is coupled to amplifier 104 a arranged in a non-inverting configuration and the output voltage 103 b is coupled to the amplifier 104 b arranged in an inverting configuration. Therefore, the amplifier output voltages 106 a, 106 b move in opposite voltage directions in response to the magnetic fields 112 a, 112 b. The amplifier output voltages 106 a, 106 b are differentially coupled to an amplifier 108 to generate a differential summation, or a difference of the output voltages 106 a, 106 b. Therefore, the output voltages 106 a, 106 b differentially sum to provide a greater output voltage 110 at the output of amplifier 108.

The summing circuit 100 can be used in the current sensor 70 of FIG. 3, in which case Hall effect elements 102 a, 102 b correspond to the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b. In one particular embodiment, the summing circuit 100 is diffused into, or otherwise disposed upon, the first surface 76 a of the substrate 76. In another embodiment, the summing circuit 100 is diffused into, or otherwise disposed upon, the second surface 76 b of the substrate 76, while the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b remain on the first surface 76 a, coupled to the other circuit components though vias or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in which like elements of FIG. 1 are shown having like reference designations, another exemplary current sensor 120 includes a substrate 126 having a first surface 126 a and a second, opposing surface 126 b. Here, four Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d are diffused into or otherwise disposed on the first surface 126 a of the substrate 126. The substrate 126 is positioned relative to the lead frame 12 such that first and second Hall effect element 128 a, 128 b respectively are on one side of the current conductor portion 14 along a y-axis 142, and third and fourth Hall effect elements 128 c, 128 d are on the opposite side of the current conductor portion 14 along the y-axis 42, as shown. In one embodiment, the Hall effect elements 128 a, 128 b are offset (along the y-axis 142) from the current conductor portion 14 by an amount equal to and opposite from the amount that the Hall effect elements 128 c, 128 d are offset (along the y-axis 142) from the current conductor portion 14.

With this arrangement, the Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d are disposed in close proximity to the current conductor portion 14 and at predetermined positions relative to the conductor portion 14, such that a magnetic field generated by an electrical current passing though the current conductor portion 14 in a direction shown by arrows 86, is in a direction substantially aligned with a maximum response axis of the Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d. Here, each of the Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d has a maximum response axis aligned with a z-axis 144. In the illustrated embodiment, the Hall effect elements 128 a, 128 b are disposed on an opposite side (i.e., slightly offset along a y-axis 142) of the current conductor portion 144 than the Hall effect elements 128 c, 128 d, as shown, where the magnetic field is pointed along the z-axis 144. However, Hall effect elements, or another type of magnetic field sensors, for example magnetoresistance elements, having maximum response axes aligned in another direction, can be disposed at other positions relative to the current conductor portion 14, for example, on top (in a direction of the z-axis 144) of the current conductor portion 14. It will be appreciated that the first and second Hall effect elements 128 a, 128 b are exposed to a magnetic field in a direction along the z-axis 144 and the third and forth Hall effect elements 128 c, 128 d are exposed to a magnetic field in the opposite direction along the z-axis 144.

The four Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d can be coupled to an electronic circuit arranged as a summing circuit, understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, in order to achieve certain advantages. The summing circuit, for example, can include two of the summing circuits 100 of FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the summing circuit can couple a first two of the Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d with a first summing circuit, such as the summing circuit 100 of FIG. 4, and a second two of the Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d with a second summing circuit, such as the summing circuit 100. With another amplifier, an output of the first summing circuit can be summed with an output of the second summing circuit. As an initial advantage, the four Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d, coupled to a summing circuit as described, in the presence of the current, provide a voltage output four times the magnitude of a voltage output from a single Hall effect element, for example the Hall effect element 18 of FIG. 1, in the presence of the same current. Therefore, the current sensor 120 has four times the sensitivity of the current sensor 10 of FIG. 1.

As a second advantage, the current sensor 120 is relatively insensitive to variation in the position of the Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d in the direction of the y-axis 142. This is because, when moved in the direction of the y-axis 142, the voltage output from two of the four Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d tends to increase while the voltage output from the other two of the four Hall effect elements 128 a-128 d tends to decrease. Therefore, when coupled as a summing circuit, the circuit output is relatively invariant to the y-axis position of the Hall effect elements.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary current sensor 150 in accordance with the present invention includes a lead frame 152 having a plurality of leads 152 a-152 h and a current conductor portion 154. The current sensor 150 also includes a substrate 166 having a first surface 166 a and a second, opposing surface 166 b. The substrate 166 has a Hall effect element 158 diffused into the first surface 166 a, or otherwise disposed on the first surface 166 a. The substrate 166 is disposed on the lead frame 152 so that the Hall effect element 158 is in close proximity to the current conductor portion 154. The substrate 166 has an orientation that is upside down (i.e., the first surface 166 a is directed downward) in relation to the conventional orientation with which a substrate is mounted into an integrated circuit package. The substrate 166 is a flip-chip having solder balls 160 a-160 c on the first surface 166 a of the substrate 166. The solder balls 160 a-160 c couple directly to the leads 152 e-152 h as shown. An insulator 164 separates the substrate 166 from the lead frame 152. The insulator 164 can be the same as or similar to the insulator 24 shown in FIG. 1.

With this arrangement, the Hall effect element 158 is disposed in close proximity to the current conductor portion 154 and at a predetermined position relative to the conductor portion 154, such that a magnetic field generated by an electrical current passing though the current conductor portion 154 in a direction shown by arrows 168, is in a direction substantially aligned with a maximum response axis of the Hall effect element 158. The Hall effect element 158 has a maximum response axis aligned with a z-axis 174. Therefore, the Hall effect element 158 is disposed just to the side (i.e., slight offset along a y-axis 172) of the current conductor portion 14, as shown, where the magnetic field is pointed along the z-axis 174. However, a Hall effect element, or another type of magnetic field sensor, for example a magnetoresistance element, having a maximum response axis aligned in another direction, can be disposed at another position relative to the current conductor portion 154, for example, on top (in a direction of the z-axis 174) of the current conductor portion 154.

Operation of the current sensor 150 is like the above-described operation of the current sensor 10 of FIG. 1. The Hall effect element 158, being is close proximity to the current conductor portion 154, results in a greater output voltage from the Hall effect element 158, and therefore an improved sensitivity.

While only one Hall effect element 158 is shown on the first surface 166 a of the substrate 166, it will be appreciated that more than one Hall effect element can be used with this invention. Other circuitry, for example an amplifier, can also be diffused in or otherwise coupled to or supported by the first and/or second surfaces 166 a, 166 b of the substrate 166.

While three solder balls 160 a-160 c are shown, any number of solder balls can be provided, including dummy solder balls for stabilizing the substrate 166. Also, while solder balls 160 a-160 c are shown, other connection methods can also be used, including, but not limited to gold bumps, eutectic and high lead solder bumps, no-lead solder bumps, gold stud bumps, polymeric conductive bumps, anisotropic conductive paste, and conductive film.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, in which like elements of FIG. 6 are shown having like reference designations, an exemplary current sensor 180 in accordance with the present invention includes a flux concentrator 182 and a flux concentrating layer 184. The flux concentrator is located proximate the Hall effect sensor 158, adjacent to and below the first surface 166 a of the substrate 166. The flux concentrating layer 184 is disposed on (or adjacent to and above) the second surface 166 b of the substrate 166.

In operation, the flux concentrator 182 and the flux concentrating layer 184 each tend to concentrate the magnetic flux generated by the current passing through the current conductor portion 154 so as to cause the current sensor 180 to have a higher sensitivity than the current sensor 150 of FIG. 6.

The flux concentrator 182 and the flux concentrating layer 184 can each be comprised of a variety of materials, including but not limited to, ferrite, Permalloy, and iron.

While the flux concentrator 182 is shown having a cubic shape, in other embodiments, the flux concentrator can have another shape, for example, a polyhedral shape, an elliptical shape, or a spherical shape. While both the flux concentrator 182 and the flux concentrating layer 184 are shown, in other embodiments, only one of the flux concentrator 182 and the flux concentrating layer 184 can be provided. Also, while the flux concentrator 182 and the flux concentrating layer 184 are shown in conjunction with one magnetic field transducer 158, it should be appreciated that the flux concentrator 182 and the flux concentrating layer 184 can also be applied to configurations having more than the one magnetic field transducer 158, for example, the configurations shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another exemplary current sensor 200 in accordance with the present invention includes a lead frame 202 having a plurality of leads 202 a-202 h. The current sensor 200 also includes a substrate 206 having a first surface 206 a and a second, opposing surface 206 b. The substrate 206 has a Hall effect element 208 diffused into the first surface 206 a, or otherwise disposed on the first surface 206 a. A conductive clip 204 having a current conductor portion 204 a is coupled to the leads 202 a-202 d. Features of the conductive clip 204 are shown in FIG. 8. Suffice it to say here that the conductive clip is formed having a bend such that the conductive clip 204 passes up and over the first surface 206 a of the substrate 206. The substrate 206 is disposed on the lead frame 202 so that the Hall effect element 208 is in close proximity to the current conductor portion 204 a. In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate 206 has a conventional mounting orientation with the first surface 206 a directed upward. The substrate 206 has bonding pads 212 a-212 c on the first surface 206 a, to which bond wires 210 a-210 c are coupled. The bond wires 210 a-210 c are further coupled to the leads 202 e, 202 f, 202 h. An insulator 214 can be provided to isolate the substrate 206 from the conductive clip 204. The insulator 214 can be the same as or similar to the insulator 24 shown in FIG. 1.

With this arrangement, the Hall effect element 208 is disposed in close proximity to the current conductor portion 204 a, which passes up and over the first surface 206 a of the substrate 206. The Hall effect element 208 is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the conductor portion 204 a such that a magnetic field generated by an electrical current passing though the current conductor portion 204 a in a direction shown by arrows 216, is in a direction substantially aligned with a maximum response axis of the Hall effect element 208. The Hall effect element 208 has a maximum response axis aligned with a z-axis 224. In the illustrated embodiment, the Hall effect element 208 is disposed just to the side (i.e., slight offset along a y-axis 222) of the current conductor portion 204 a, as shown, where the magnetic field is pointed along the z-axis 224. However, a Hall effect element, or another type of magnetic field sensor, for example a magnetoresistance element, having a maximum response axis aligned in another direction, can be disposed at another position relative to the current conductor portion 204 a, for example, essentially aligned above or below (in a direction of the z-axis 224) with the current conductor portion 204 a.

In operation, current flows into the leads 202 c, 202 d, which are coupled in parallel, through the conductive clip 204, through the current conductor portion 204 a, and out of the leads 202 a, 202 b, which are also coupled in parallel. The current flowing though the current conductor portion 204 a generates a magnetic field, which is sensed by the Hall effect element 208. The Hall effect element 208 generates a voltage output proportional to the magnetic field and therefore proportional to the current flowing though the current conductor portion 204 a. As described above, the Hall effect element 208 is in very close proximity to the current conductor portion 204 a and at a predetermined position relative to the current conductor portion 204 a in which the magnetic field generated by the current is substantially aligned with the maximum response axis of the Hall effect element 208. This position results in a greater voltage output from the Hall effect element 208, and therefore improved sensitivity.

While only one Hall effect element 208 is shown on the second surface 206 b of the substrate 206, it will be appreciated that more than one Hall effect element can be used. In particular, an embodiment having two Hall effect elements can be similar to the current sensor 70 of FIG. 3 and an embodiment having four Hall effect elements can be similar to the current sensor 120 of FIG. 5. Also, additional circuitry, for example an amplifier, can be diffused in or otherwise coupled to the first and/or second surfaces 206 a, 206 b of the substrate 206.

It should be appreciated that the conducive clip 204 can be formed in a variety of ways and from a variety of materials. In one particular embodiment, the conductive clip 204 is stamped, for example, from a copper sheet. In another embodiment, the conductive clip 204 is formed from foil, for example copper foil. In yet another embodiment, the conductive clip 204 is formed by an etching process. The conductive clip 204 allows the use of the conventional mounting orientation of the substrate 206 while bringing the current conductor portion 204 a very close to the Hall effect element 208.

The conductive clip 204 can be provided having a thickness selected in accordance with an amount of current that will pass through the conductive clip 204. Therefore, if a current sensor adapted to sense relatively high currents is desired, the conductive clip can be relatively thick, whereas, if a current sensor adapted to sense relatively low currents is desired, the conductive clip 204 can be relatively thin. In another embodiment, if a current sensor adapted to sense relatively high currents is desired, more than one conductive clip 204 can be stacked in contact with other conductive clips to provide an increased effective thickness that is thicker than any one conductive clip 204, and therefore, able to carry more current.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the close proximity between the Hall effect element 208 and the current conductor portion 204 a is achieved by providing the Hall effect element 208 on the first substrate surface 206 a, which is positioned closer to the current conductor portion 204 a than the second surface 206 b. In other embodiments, this advantageous close proximity is achieved by providing the Hall effect element 208 on the second substrate surface 206 b and forming the current conductor portion 204 a so as to be in substantial alignment with the second surface 206 b.

Referring now to FIG. 8, in which like elements of FIG. 7 are shown having like reference designations, the conductive clip 204 is shown before it is coupled to the leads 202 a-202 d. The conductive clip 204 includes the current conductor portion 204 a, a transition region 204 b, a bend region 204 c, and a bonding region 204 d. The bonding region 204 d includes two portions 204 e, 204 f which couple to the leads 202 a-202 d. The transition region 204 b can be elevated relative to the current conductor portion 204 a to avoid contact with the substrate 206.

While Hall effect elements have been shown and described in association with embodiments of this invention, it will be recognized that other types of magnetic field sensors can be used. For example, magnetoresistance elements can be used in place of the Hall effect elements. However, a conventional magnetoresistance element has a maximum response axis that is perpendicular to the maximum response axis of a conventional Hall effect element. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand how to position one or more magnetoresistance elements relative to a current conductor portion in accordance with embodiments of the present invention to achieve the same results as the Hall effect element embodiments herein described.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a lead frame 250 is shown having a shape similar to the lead frame 72 of FIG. 3 and the lead frame 152 of FIG. 6. The lead frame 250 has a plurality of thinned portions 252 a-252 n that are thinner than other portions of the lead frame 250. The thinner portions can be provided by a variety of processes, including, but not limited to, chemical etching and stamping.

A current conductor portion 254 has a surface 254 a and a thickness t1 which can be the same as or similar to the thickness of others of the thinned portion 252 b-252 n. Other portions of the lead frame have a thickness t2. In one particular embodiment, the thickness t1 of the current carrying portion 254 is the same as the thickness of the other thinned portions 252 b-252 n, and the thickness t1 is approximately half of the thickness t2. In one embodiment, the current conductor portion 254 has a cross section that is essentially rectangular, having the thickness t1.

It will be recognized that, in the presence of a current passing through the current conductor portion 254, the current conductor portion 254 being thinner, for example, than the current conductor portion 74 of FIG. 3, has a higher current density near the surface 254 a than the current conductor portion 74 of FIG. 3 has near the surface 74 a in the presence of a similar current. In other words, the current is compressed to be closer to the surface 254 a than it would otherwise be with a thicker current conductor portion. As a result, a magnetic field generated by the current has a higher flux density in proximity to the surface 254 a.

Therefore, when the lead frame 250 is used in place of the lead frame 72 of FIG. 3, the Hall effect elements 78 a, 78 b experience a greater magnetic field, resulting in a more sensitive current sensor.

Others of the thinned portion 252 b-252 n provide other advantages. For example, when the lead frame 250 is molded into a plastic surrounding body, the other thinned portions 252 b-252 n tend to lock the lead frame 250 more rigidly into the molded body.

The thickness t1 is selected in accordance with a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, a maximum current to be passed through the current conductor portion 254.

It will be understood that thinned portions can be applied to others of the lead frames shown above in embodiments other than the embodiment of FIG. 3 in order to achieve the same advantages.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, an alternate current conductor portion 270, suitable for replacing the current conductor portion 254 of FIG. 9, has a T-shaped cross section as would be seen from a cross-section taken along line 9A-9A of FIG. 9. The T-shape has a surface 270 a, a first thickness t3, and a second thickness t4. The thickness t3 can be the same as or similar to the thickness t 1 of FIG. 9, and the thickness t4 can be the same as or similar to the thickness t2 of FIG. 9. In one particular embodiment the thickness t3 is approximately half of the thickness t4.

For substantially the same reasons describe above in conjunction with FIG. 9, a magnetic field generated in response to a current passing through the current conductor portion 270 is higher in proximity to the surface 270 a than it would be if the current conductor portion 270 had a uniform thickness t4.

While the current conductor portion 254 (FIG. 9) and the current conductor portion 270 have been described to have a rectangular cross section and a T-shaped cross section respectively, it should be appreciated that other cross-sectional shapes can be provided to achieve the above advantages.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention, it will now become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating their concepts may be used. It is felt therefore that these embodiments should not be limited to disclosed embodiments, but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 

1. An integrated circuit, comprising: a lead frame having a plurality of leads; a current conductor portion comprising a coupling of at least two of the plurality of leads; a substrate having a first surface proximate to said current conductor portion and a second surface distal from said current conductor portion; and one or more magnetic field transducers disposed on the first surface of said substrate.
 2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said substrate is disposed having the first surface of said substrate above said current conductor portion and the second surface above the first surface.
 3. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said substrate is disposed having the first surface of said substrate below said current conductor portion and the second surface below the first surface.
 4. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said current conductor portion further comprises a conductive clip coupled to the at least two of the plurality of leads.
 5. The integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein said substrate is disposed having the first surface of said substrate above said conductive clip and the second surface of said substrate above the first surface.
 6. The integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein said substrate is disposed having the first surface of said substrate below said conductive clip and the second surface below the first surface.
 7. The integrated circuit of claim 4, wherein a thickness of the conductive clip is selected in accordance with a current passing through the conductive clip.
 8. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said substrate has at least one bonding pad coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of leads with a bond wire.
 9. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein said substrate is associated with a selected one of a solder ball, a gold bump, a eutectic and high lead solder bump, a no-lead solder bump, a gold stud bump, a polymeric conductive bump, an anisotropic conductive paste, and a conductive film coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of leads.
 10. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the current conductor portion has a current conductor portion axis and at least two of said one or more magnetic field transducers are disposed on opposite sides of the current conductor portion axis.
 11. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein at least two of said one or more magnetic field transducers are rotated relative to each other for providing predetermined voltage output polarities.
 12. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said current conductor portion has a T-shaped cross section.
 13. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said current conductor portion has a rectangular cross section having a minimum dimension less than a thickness of said lead frame.
 14. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising at least one amplifier disposed on said substrate.
 15. The integrated circuit of claim 14, wherein the at least one amplifier provides an output signal proportional to a sum of signals generated by at least two of said one or more magnetic field transducers.
 16. The integrated circuit of claim 14, wherein the at least one amplifier forms a summing arrangement coupled to four of said one or more magnetic field transducers.
 17. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising a flux concentrator disposed proximate said one or more magnetic field transducers.
 18. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising a flux concentrating layer disposed proximate the second surface of said substrate.
 19. A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit, comprising: providing a lead frame having a plurality of leads of which at least two are coupled together to form a current conductor portion; and etching the current conductor portion to provide the current conductor portion with a cross section having a predetermined shape selected to provide an increased flux density.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined shape comprises a T shape.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined shape comprises a rectangular shape having a minimum dimension less than a thickness of said lead frame.
 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising: mounting a substrate proximate said lead frame, the substrate having a first surface proximate to the current conductor portion and a second opposing surface disposed distal from the current conductor portion, wherein one or more magnetic field transducers are disposed on the first surface of the substrate.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the predetermined shape comprises a T shape.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the predetermined shape comprises a rectangular shape having a minimum dimension less than a thickness of said lead frame. 